See How They Run

June 23, 2016

Embassy Row #2. Author: Ally Carter.

Summary:

For the past three years, Grace Blakely has been desperate to find out the truth about her mother’s murder. She thought it would bring her peace. She thought it would lead her to answers. She thought she could put the past to rest. But the truth has only made her a target. And the past? The only way to put the past to rest is for Grace to kill it once and for all. On Embassy Row, power can make you a victor or a victim; love can turn you into a fool or a fugitive; and family can lead you forward or bury you deep. Trust is a luxury. Death is a very real threat. And a girl like Grace must be very careful about which secrets she brings to light. (Published summary.)

My Thoughts:

Ally Carter maintains a tense atmosphere and well-written characters, but I found this book less engaging than the first. Grace still makes sense as a character, but being in her head with her constant intense emotion began to be overwhelming. More, it seemed to me that there was genuinely less action this time. Grace is an passionate character, but everything is so well hidden that these books almost feel a little too air-filled – more grief and suspicion and guilt spinning in circles than actually acting and doing.

And I was greatly displeased by the final plot twist. I thought Ally Carter was above such things.

Content Review:

Sexual content: One kiss.

Language: None.

Violence: Two boys fight. A car explodes and kills the driver. A body is found washed up on the beach. A mob attacks a boy and girl, they’re rescued, but the girl has a stab wound.